Category: Japan

Located in the heart of the Japanese metropolis, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is one of Japan’s leading international hotels. Offering more than just accommodation, the hotel boast of more than 20 restaurants and bars to suit local and international palates and provides a wide variety of facilities and events so that you and your loved ones can enjoy Japanese cultural experiences right within their premises. During your stay, you can immerse yourself in their Hello Kitty themed rooms, wedding kimono fitting experience, traditional Japanese tea ceremony and many others! Let’s explore what Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo has in store for you the next time you visit Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan!

1. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Superb Location

From Haneda Airport, you just need to take a 50 minutes train ride to get to Shinjuku Station. After which, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is merely a quick 10 minutes walk away. In fact, the hotel is conveniently connected by a linkway from the train station. If you are unable to locate the linkway, simply head out of the station (to the pavement level) and follow Google map instructions to reach the hotel!

2. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Great Base To Explore The City

Shinjuku is a great base to access most of the city key attractions.  Harajuku, Omote-Sando and Meiji Jingu is just a 5 minutes train ride away via Yamanote Line.  Shibuya is just an additional 2 minutes ride away on the same train line. Even the furthest Sensoji (Asakusa Station) is less than 30 minutes away. When you are in Tokyo, check out Akiba Fukurou Owl Cafe for an adorable afternoon of owl fun!

3. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Hello Kitty Themed Rooms

Hello Kitty fans will go absolutely gaga over the Hello Kitty Themed Rooms at either Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Shinjuku (Central Tokyo) or Tama (West Tokyo)! Located in the South Tower of Keio Plaza Hotel Shinjuku, the Hello Kitty Rooms were opened from 1st November 2014.  A total of eight rooms were remodelled in two different adorable themes – “KITTY TOWN” or “PRINCESS KITTY”. The creative folks at Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo are also proud to present their newly created “Hello Kitty Room Original Breakfast” to you and your loved ones! The menu is based on the hotel’s American breakfast menu but with colourful and nutritionally balanced food items added such as omelettes, ratatouille and salads using various Hello Kitty images. READ MORE

4. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – A Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotel

As one of the “Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels”, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle bus service directly to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea! You can choose between these three timing: 6.30am, 9am or 12.30pm bus. If you want to make the most out of your day at Disney Parks, we recommend getting on the 6.30am bus. In the evening, you will be the envy of other tourists when you board the same bus to head back to Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo after a long day at the parks.

5. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Japanese Kimono Experience

Folks who are staying at Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo will also get to try out Japanese kimono worn by brides and grooms at traditional Japanese weddings! Traditional bridal kimonos of more than 3 different colours and patterns for both ladies and men are available at the in-house costume salon located in the hotel lobby. The hotel will also provide several locations with breathtaking backdrops for photographs to be taken such as Japanese wedding ceremony rooms, the Imperial Suite room, and others. Limited to only 2 couples per day on weekdays only, the prices are as follow: 32,400 Yen (Ladies, Maximum height is 170cm, or size 15), 32,400 Yen (Gentlemen, Maximum height 185cm, or 100cm chest size) & 54,000 Yen (Couple).

Besides Japanese wedding kimonos, the hotel also rents Japanese yukata (casual kimono) and help you take photographs within the hotel. The yukata can wore out to visit various destinations outside of the hotel too.  Two rental plans are available – standard yukata plan for both male and female guests (JPY5,400 per guest, including tax) and the premium yukata plan for female guests (JPY7,000 per guest, including tax).  Both plans include traditional Japanese accessories including “geta” shoes, “kanzashi” ornamental hair combs, and “kinchaku” handbags.

6. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Japanese Traditional Tea Experience

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo offers traditional Japanese tea ceremony experience at their “Sho-fu-an” Tea Ceremony Room. Guided by an experienced Tea Master, the ceremony is conducted in the English language with detailed explanations of the various utensils used and traditional practices. The 30 minutes experience will give you a glimpse into the intricate world of Japanese tea traditions and culture. READ MORE

7. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop 

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo’s spacious lobby area with high ceilings allowed the space for large Ikebana (flower arrangement) to be beautifully displayed. Hiroki Maeno uses his skills as both an Ikebana artist and space designer to create a flower arrangement that beautifully accentuates the hotel’s lobby space. If you love flower arrangement, you must go for their special 45-minute Ikebana workshop held on every other Thursday in a private room for 3,000 Yen. Instruction and commentary are provided by the artist Hiroki Maeno.

8. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Japanese Sake Breweries Tour

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo provides a special sightseeing limousine tour to two sake breweries and a museum with optional English-speaking chauffeurs. The tour will take you and your loved ones to Japanese sake breweries located in western Tokyo. These included Ishikawa Brewery, famous for its sake called “Tama Jiman”, Tamura Brewery, known for its “Kasen” sake created using water from a natural spring within the brewery facility located along the Tama River in Fussa City of Western Tokyo, and Ozawa Brewery, a sake brewer with a history of over 300 years dating back to 1702 and renowned for its “Sawanoi” sake. You will be shown the “Kushi Kanzashi (Traditional ornate hair combs) Museum.”

Each chauffeur-driven minivans can accommodate 6 people. The plan details can be customized to meet your specific wishes.  All of the costs for the tours including admission to the museum, transportation and toll fees are included in the plan prices.

9. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Special Exhibitions All Year Round

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo regularly hosts special exhibitions of traditional Japanese arts and culture within their space. One of such exhibitions is the entitled “Enjoying Japan’s Traditional Hinamatsuri Girls’ Doll Festival at Keio Plaza Hotel”. It displays various traditional art ornaments in the third-floor lobby of the hotel from 1st February to 27 March 2017.

The annually held exhibition was extremely well received by guests. This year features some 6,500 finely handwoven silk doll decorations, Japanese art items depicting scenes of “Japanese female culture” from the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), and “Bonsai” miniature decorative sculptured plants gave visitors a taste of Japan’s traditional arts representative of the “Hinamatsuri Doll Festival”. In addition, ten of the hotel restaurants also served specially prepared menu items and will be specially decorated to commemorate this celebratory event.

10. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Night View Of Tokyo City Skyline

Sky Lounge “Aurora” is designed to showcase the panoramic views of the Tokyo City skyline from the 160-meter high 45th floor of the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. Here you get to enjoy the wide selection of delicious beverages and dishes prepared by the hotel’s renowned and talented bartenders and chefs at both lunchtimes (*on weekends and holidays only) and in the afternoon to late evening hours every day.

Do come back in the evening to take in the gorgeous night view of Tokyo city too. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is famous for its skilful bartenders. Led by their legendary bartender Kazuya Watanabe, the first winner of Medal with Yellow Ribbon from Japanese emperor, you can expect delicious drinks and high level of service from their bartenders.

Do reserve your stay at Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo the next time you visit Japan. To fully appreciate your stay make sure you take part in some of their cultural workshops and activities! For more information about Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo rooms, facilities and services, please visit their website, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience authentic Japanese culture, with the Nihonbashi Experience. Located in the premier district of Nihonbashi, the hotel is the perfect place to be fully immersed in the history and culture of the city and just a stone’s throw from the landmark ‘Bridge of Japan’. Nihonbashi takes its name from this celebrated monument. Traditionally, one would mark their arrival in the capital by going over the famed bridge at what was known as the ‘kilometre zero’.

This fascinating neighbourhood is home to the Bank of Japan and Japan’s oldest department store, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Maini as well as centuries-old shops offering everything from traditional fans, fabric, Washi paper, and lacquerware to delicious Japanese confectioneries such as dashi and seaweed. One of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing ‘Edo Sakura Dori’, as well as the prominent Shinto shrines are also on the doorstep to visit.

During your stay at this award-winning hotel, you will be given the opportunity to enjoy a unique snapshot of Japanese culture, with a choice of five different experiences to be selected upon reservation from the following options:

1. A precious opportunity to rent and wear an authentic Kimono while exploring the culture the city has to offer.

2. An English-spoken masterclass in the unique gourmets and cultures of Nihonbashi. You will visit the famous Nihonbashi Bridge, the Fukutoku shrine and traditional Japanese stores.

3. A fun, unique workshop in Washi papermaking. You will handcraft the strong yet soft paper, a treasured staple in the lives of Japanese people.

4. A class in glass engraving, using the traditional technique of Edo Kiriko, which dates back to 1834 in the period of Edo. You will learn about the skill and produce their own glass engraving to take home.

5. A lesson in the distinctive craft of Japanese flower arranging. you will learn about this art form, which is vastly different from the European style, in a 90-minute class.

Last but not least, you get to enjoy a full breakfast as part of the package, served at the hotel’s K’shiki restaurant or Oriental Lounge. The package also includes a stunningly illustrated walking map of Nihonbashi. The guide is curated by the hotel’s own concierge team and gives a conclusive round-up of the history of the city, best places to eat and must-visit cultural sights. The unique insight and tips from the hotel’s own team separate it from other guides of the city.

The Nihonbashi Experience starts at JPY 70,000 per night for single occupancy and JPY 80,000 for double occupancy, excluding 8% consumption tax, 15% service charge and an accommodation tax of JPY 200 per person. It includes:

• One-night stay in a Deluxe Premier room or above.
• Full breakfast for two served at K’shiki or Oriental Lounge.
• Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo’s Nihonbashi walking map.
• A choice of one of five cultural experiences, as detailed above.

Reservations must be made seven days in advance and some of the experience sessions are only available on certain dates and times. For reservations, or for more information, please visit mandarinoriental.com

Looking to experience Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony (茶道) on your next visit to Tokyo Japan? We have just the place for you! Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious international hotels located in Shinjuku provides tea ceremony experience at their “Sho-fu-an” Tea Ceremony Room since April 2016. Guided by an experienced Tea Master, Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony is delivered in the English language with in-depth explanations of the various utensils used and traditional practices. The 30 minutes experience will offer you a glimpse into the intricate world of Japanese tea traditions and culture.

Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony

When we first arrived at the room, our friendly Tea Master, Yano introduced herself and led us to ritually purify ourselves through washing our hands and rinsing our mouths with water at a Tsukubai (stone basin). It is interesting to note that the placement of wooden ladle after use is dependent on the weather. If it is a rainy day, you are supposed to put the ladle facing downwards. The ladle will be facing upwards during a good weather.

Next, we were asked to remove our footwear and enter the tea room through a small “crawling-in” door (nijiri-guchi). We were told that the tea room is a sacred place where everyone is expected to be unarmed (no samurai swords etc), be humbled and treat all as equals. All guests are expected to respect the host by bowing and slide through the nijiri-guchi into the tea room.

Our tea room is a Koma (small room) with four and a half tatami mat. Our attention was brought to the items placed in the Tokonoma as well as the tea equipment prepared in the room. Yano explained that the tokonoma is an alcove in the room that features a hanging zen word scroll and seasonal flowers. The flower commanded a higher status than scroll because it is a living object. Our hanging scroll reads ‘Once in a lifetime’ and was written by a Zen Monk.

A delicate piece of Japanese sweet was offered at the beginning of the tea ceremony. It looked aesthetically pleasing and had tasted like our familiar snow skin mooncakes.

While we were enjoying our sweet dessert, Yano ritually cleansed each utensil including the tea bowl, whisk and tea scoop. In a precise order and using prescribed motions, she places them in an exact arrangement according to the particular temae procedure being performed. Once the preparation of the utensils was completed, she started work on the preparation of the tea.

She patiently explained that there are two main ways of preparing matcha (抹茶) – thick (濃茶 Koicha) and thin (薄茶Usucha). Koicha is a thick blend of matcha and hot water that requires about three times as much tea to the equivalent amount of water than Usucha. Another key difference between these two tea is that Usucha is served to each guest in an individual bowl while one bowl of Koicha is shared among several guests. Koicha may be too bitter for beginners like us hence Yano served Usucha by whipping matcha and hot water using the tea whisk (茶筅 Chasen). 

She presented our tea to us individually and carefully ensures that the key graphics for each tea bowl faced us when we receive it. As a form of respect, we were supposed to admire the tea bowl and rotate the key graphic to face her before taking a sip. The matcha was smooth, creamy and really delicious. It has a foamy and milky texture although no milk was added. That must have come from the skilful whipping of matcha and hot water using the tea whisk.  

After sampling the tea, we took time to appreciate the tools used in the ceremony and admire the beauty of the tea bowl that was presented to us as a sign of respect and admiration for our Tea Master. She explained that careful considerations were made in the selection of the tea bowls. We were each presented with a tea bowl which she personally felt best suited us. Mom was presented with an elegant tea bowl with crane (a symbol of longevity) and gold motif as a respect for her seniority in the family.

With that, our Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony journey has come to an end. Through the experience, we better understood why Japanese are proud of their traditions. When watching our Tea Master cleansed the utensil and prepare the tea quietly, my mind enjoyed a rare moment of lightness and calm descended for a brief period. To fully appreciate this ‘zen’ effect, it would have to be a silent tea ceremony with experienced guests.

Keio Plaza Brings Japanese Cultural Experience To You

Visitors from more than 100 countries around the world account for over 70% of all guests staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo. To provide guests with authentic Japanese cultural experiences, the hotel regularly organises traditional Japanese art exhibitions, offers traditional Japanese wedding “kimonos” for rental and events, presents live Japanese harp “koto” music, host traditional Japanese Tea Ceremonies and also other interesting activities. Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony is also available for visitors who are not staying at Keio Plaza Hotel because it is one of the only hotels in central Tokyo with tea ceremony facilities.

Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony

Sessions: 4 times daily (except Thursday & Sundays). Each session last around 30 minutes | Venue: Tea Ceremony Room “Sho-fu-an,” on 10^th floor of the Main Tower | Charge: JPY 2,000 per guest per tea ceremony (Includes service charges & tax) | Guest Numbers: The maximum number of 4 guests per tea ceremony | Tea Ceremony Master: Sentousouei Yano (Professor, Dainihon Chado Gakkai)

Do remember to book in advance to avoid disappointment! If you are a fan of Hello Kitty, you may want to read our post on Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Shinjuku Hello Kitty Experience in Japan

Folks who love Sanrio’s Hello Kitty are going to go absolute gaga when they see what’s in store for them at either Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Shinjuku (Central Tokyo) or Tama (West Tokyo)! One of Japan’s most established hotels with 46 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Keio Plaza Hotel is always on the lookout for unique Japan experiences for its guests. They have once again outdone themselves with a unique partnership to Sanrio to bring the beloved feline close to Sanrio fans around the world! Join us as we bring you through Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Shinjuku Hello Kitty Experience in Japan!

Conveniently situated just minutes away from Shinjuku station, Keio Plaza Hotel’s unique Hello Kitty themed rooms are located at the hotel’s South Tower and marked with an adorable pink ribbon.

The Hello Kitty Rooms decorated in highly attractive Hello Kitty décor were opened from 1st November 2014. Four rooms have been remodelled in two themes of “KITTY TOWN” and “PRINCESS KITTY” which makes up a total of eight Hello Kitty Rooms. Let’s start our discovery of “KITTY TOWN”!

Kitty Town boasts of a pop design which suits friends or families with young children.

Fans would adore the ‘live’ sized Hello Kitty Doll at the corner of the room.

If you take a closer look at the wall mural in the room, you will realise that Keio Plaza Hotel is actually integrated into the artwork! This represents the close relationship between the hotel and Sanrio.

Next, we will move on to the“PRINCESS KITTY” room which is perfect for couples or individuals who want to feel like a royalty during their stay.

The room is generously furnished in pinks and red.

You will also catch a glimpse of Hello Kitty with sweet eyelashes that was created exclusively for Keio Plaza.

Here are some of the common Hello Kitty themed experience that you will get to enjoy in both themed rooms! Cute Hello Kitty Door Hangers help to inform the hotel staff if you want them to make up your room or leave you in peace.

Savour your afternoon tea with a pretty Hello Kitty Beverage Set.

A comprehensive Hello Kitty themed vanity set to make sure you look great at all time.

The mirror you use to prim yourself up even has a sign off from Hello Kitty!

The Hello Kitty Humidifier was a god-sent to prevent dry chapped lips due to lower humidity on the trip.

Before heading out, remember to bring along your Hello Kitty Water Bottles too!

Last but not least, you will get your very own Hello Kitty Doll to remember the trip by.

Have A Hello Kitty Original Breakfast In Your Room

To wow you further, the creative folks at Keio Plaza Hotel has newly created “Hello Kitty Room Original Breakfast”! Based on their American breakfast, the menu consists of colourful and nutritionally balanced food items such as omelettes, ratatouille and salads using various Hello Kitty images. You will get to taste Potage soup with Hello Kitty shaped croutons, sausage and vegetable sandwiches in the shape of Hello Kitty’s face, apple pie desserts and many other Hello Kitty menu items are also served as part of the Hello Kitty Original Breakfast!

Accommodation With Original Hello Kitty Breakfast Room Service (Shinjuku)

If you are keen to experience the Hello Kitty Room with breakfast room service and a Hello Kitty Doll, the room rate will start from 24,800 yen for a room with two guests. The breakfast menu will include Potage soup, Plain Omelette, Ratatouille, Sausage and vegetable sandwich, Green salad, Fruit juice, Coffee or tea.

For information and reservations:  +81-3-5322-8000 (Accommodations direct line). Other than Keio Plaza Hotel Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tama also has four Hello Kitty rooms which would be the perfect base for Hello Kitty fans who are planning a visit to Sanrio Puroland in the same suburb too. You may also want to check out our Keio Plaza Hotel Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience too. Enjoy your stay in Japan!